- April 18, 2024
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Soccer is often referred to as the world’s game. Well, the world will have its eyes on Palm Coast and Flagler County later this year, when Global Image Sports hosts the GIS Cup soccer tournament over Columbus Day weekend (Oct. 11-13), at the Indian Trails Sports Complex.
The city announced the tournament earlier this week. It will feature clubs from the United States and England, ages 9 to 18.
PDA Florida, the local soccer club, will partner with the city and GIS to put on the tournament.
West Ham United, of England’s Premier League, will be sending a U16 academy team to compete in the Elite Showcase Bracket of the tournament.
In addition to teams from England, several competitive teams from the region are expected to compete, according to GIS officials.
“We are very excited about the first GIS Cup soccer tournament at this excellent location in Palm Coast,” said Mike Kelleher, of GIS. “We have been actively seeking the right facility and partner for the past few years to launch our tournament series, and in Palm Coast and PDA Florida, we believe we have the perfect fit.”
Tournament Director Reggy Monsanto, of PDA Florida, said this will be the first tournament ever to bring international teams to play in Palm Coast.
“GIS has partner clubs all over the United States, and all of them are being invited,” Monsanto said. “Once word gets out, we think more teams from around the region will come. Higher-level teams are looking for opportunities to compete against like competition and against teams they’ve never player before, and the GIS Cup will be a perfect fit for both.”
The GIS Cup announcement comes on the heels of two other soccer-related announcements by the city: PDA Florida joined with FC United of Florida for youth clubs and will likely build another soccer complex off U.S. 1, and the Just4Keepers International Goalkeeping Academy, an international youth soccer program that prepares goalkeepers for college and professional soccer, selected Palm Coast as the home for its new U.S. national camp. The academy’s national residential camp will be held in Palm Coast later this year.
Palm Coast Splash ‘N’ Dash: July 6
The city of Palm Coast will host a Splash ‘N’ Dash, a free, non-competitive swimming and running event for children ages 5 to 15, beginning at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, July 6, at Belle Terre Park and Frieda Zamba Swimming Pool, 339 Parkview Drive, in Palm Coast. Check-in and packet pickup will be at 8:15 a.m.
Pre-registration is required by July 5.
All participants will be awarded for their achievement, regardless of their finishing time, and all participants will receive a metal.
For more information, call the pool at 986-4741.
